Best of PH coconut products showcased at DC Filipino food fest

Patrons of the Festival flock the Philippine Embassy booth for its free samples of Philippine coconut products. CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The best of Philippine coconut products made a splash in the first-ever Taste the Philippines DC Filipino Food Festival held at the District Wharf on June 22.

The Philippine Embassy, through the Office of the Agriculture Attaché, showcased an array of coconut products samples of which were enjoyed by festival-goers.

Among those products sampled in the Philippine Embassy booth were Magnolia Macapuno Ice Cream sourced from Ramar Foods by Tito Al’s 2A Marketing; Trader Joe’s Coconut water with pineapple juice; Kirkland coconut water sourced from the Philippines; NUCO coconut wraps of original, moringa, turmeric and cinnamon flavors that can be purchased from organic food stores such as Wegman’s in Alexandria; Ludy’s coconut jam, Florence coconut jam and Lady’s Choice tuna spread that were best paired with the coconut wraps; NUCO coconut crunch cereals; Butter Cream Macaroon flavored Biscuits; and North Star’s buko pancit. Free samples of Carrington Farms’ virgin coconut oil ready-to-go packs sourced from the Philippines were also given out to the festival visitors.

More than 10,000 visitors gathered at the District Wharf to try out unique Filipino dishes catered by various Filipino restaurants, tabling organizations, and vendors from all around the Washington area.

Taste of the Philippines offered Filipino cuisine, cultural presentations and musical performances by YO-YO Inc., SNRG, Mabuhay Inc., Aira Renee Curameng, Pinaktay Arnis, SUAV, and the Migrant Heritage Fil-Am Dance Ensemble.

More than 10,000 visitors gathered at the District Wharf to enjoy the first-ever Taste the Philippines DC Filipino Food Festival on June 22. CONTRIBUTED

The Philippine Embassy booth also gave away free samples of Carrington Farms’ virgin coconut oil to interested visitors. CONTRIBUTED

For a chance to win a $100 dollar-gift card from Kaliwa restaurant. visitors to the Philippine booth were encouraged to post photos of themselves enjoying Philippine coconut products, or any dish with coconut ingredients from the participating restaurants. The winner will be drawn onJune 26, National Coconut Day.

Some of the dishes by participating restaurants that also made use of coconut were Kaliwa’s pastry with coconut and ube, and Kuya Ja’s lobster laing.

“National Coconut Day is celebrated in the United States every 26th of June, and the DC Filipino Food Festival was an excellent platform to raise awareness and promote the Philippines’ very own coconut products and other agricultural exports that are readily available in the US market,” said Agriculture Attaché Dr. Josyline C. Javelosa.

The Philippine Embassy showcased the best of Philippine coconut products in the first ever “Taste the Philippines DC Filipino Food Festival” held at the District Wharf on June 22, 2019. CONTRIBUTED

“We consider this as an important means to support the 3.5 million coconut farmers in the Philippines,” she added.

Taste the Philippines DC Filipino Food Festival was organized by Kaliwa restaurant, Mindset Communities, and the Philippine American Foundation for Charities. Participating restaurants include Purple Patch, Daikaya, Tigerfork, Ekiben, The Game Sports Pub, Timothy Flores, Kuya Ja’s, and Kaliwa.